eli5 why are flaps extended during takeoff if they slow down the plane?

Question

eli5 why are flaps extended during takeoff if they slow down the plane?

In: Engineering

Answer 1

One huge factor regarding lift is area: fact is, the more area exposed to the upward force, the better the lift.

Extending the flaps increases the surface area where lift can push up.

*Angling* the flaps increases resistance (and offsets lift), therefore when landing, flaps are extended and angled to help slow the plane down.